Pre-E3 2004: Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament Info and Screens

Share.

Flowers of Blood, Ambition Destroyed, Crushing Revenge, and more!

By Jeremy Dunham

Announced at the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo (in conjunction with Atari's Dragon Ball GT proclamation), Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament has been a mystery to the gaming press for almost a year now. But with Atari's unveiling of its lineup for the 2004 edition of E3, the first real details and images of the popular licensed fighter have finally become known.

Developed by Digital Fiction (Black & Bruised), Dark Tournament will bring one of Yu Yu Hakusho's most popular story arcs to the videogame realm as it tells the story of Yusuke, the Toguro Brothers, and Sakyo as they compete in one of the deadliest competitions around. Following the Dark Tournament saga rather closely, the game will feature several different ways to play -- be it story mode, survival mode, or arcade mode. Additionally, Yu Yu Hakusho will also boast an interesting card game feature that allows players to use their cards (won through battle) in a sidequest strategy game.

In all there will be over 25 different characters to select from, including Hiei, Bui, Risho, Touya, and more. Should gamers want to send all of these characters against one another at once, however, they can do that too via the Team Battle Mode which allows players to assemble teams of five in a single elimination structure for up to two players. At first glance, the game also appears to run on Dimps' Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2 engine; though we were unable to obtain confirmation of this at press time. One thing we do know about the combat mechanics, though, is that it will incorporate a bevy of different fighting moves including special maneuvers known as "Spirit Attacks." Furthermore, there will be eight different arena locations and several voice-overs from the same team that vocalizes the American dub of the anime.

Unfortunately, additional details about Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament will have to wait until we can see it for ourselves at E3 next week. But while we wait, click on our media page below to view the game's first screenshots and be sure and stay tuned to IGN for more soon.